Game device



Nov. 14, 1961 s. R. MlSKO 3,008,719

GAME DEVICE Filed Sept. 2, 1958 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Stephen R. M/skb 1N VEN TOR.

BY non Wavy 5m Nov. 14, 1961 s. R. MISKO 3,008,719

GAME DEVICE Filed Sept. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Stephen R. Misko 1N VENTOR.

S. R. MlSKO GAME DEVICE Nov. 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 195a Sfephen R. Misko INVILWTOR.

9 BY waodza 3,898,719 Patented Nov. 14, 1961 3,008,719 GAME DEVICE Stephen R. Misko, 2617 Mazant St., New Orleans, La. Filed Sept. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 758,509 6 Claims. (Cl. 273144) The present invention generally relates to a game device or toy in which one or several persons may play many different games and which is particularly constructed for playing a marble game or for playing various games by employing marbles.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a toy or game device which may be used as an amusement device or as a device for playing many various games incorporating a construction for using marbles in a manner which is highly entertaining and highly flexible in its use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel toy or game device which is inexpensive to manufacture, safe in use, durable and long lasting, adapted for use in playing various types of games by one or more persons.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the game device or toy of the present invention with one of the player receptacles removed and illustrating the construction thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view of the game device or toy of the present invention taken substantially upon a plane passing through the vertical center of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the structural details of the marble retaining member and the construction thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse, plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 44 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the internal construction of one of the recesses and illustrating the marble passage hole therein;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmental elevation of a portion of one of the player receptacles with parts thereof broken away to show the details of construction;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the construction of FIGURE 5 and shows a fragmental view of the player receptacle;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the relationship of the player receptacles to the recess in the spherical marble container;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 88 of FIGURE 7 illustrating further structural details of the lock mechanism for the player receptacles;

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional view illustrating the flexible closure member used for closing the lowermost player receptacle when marbles are being initially placed within the central marble container;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view illustrating the closure valve illustrated in FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of one of the receptacles with the major portion thereof broken away for illustrating finger grip holes or sockets for facilitating movement of the game device of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the game device or toy of the present invention which includes a central marble depositing chamber or container 12 of generally spherical shape and having a plurality of recesses 14 in the outer surface '7 thereof which are equally spaced circumferentially around the chamber 12 with each recess 14 including a bottom wall 16 and a side wall 18 with the bottom wall 16 having an opening 20 therein and with the opening 20 being disposed adjacent the side wall 18. The side wall 18 is provided with an arcuate slot 22 therein having an entrance notch 24 in the center thereof with the entrance not-ch 24 extending through the peripheral wall of the marble depositing chamber 12.

For each recess 14 disposed in the marble depositing chamber 12, there is provided a player receptacle generally designated by the numeral 26 which includes a generally partial spherical outer wall 28 and an inwardly tapering conical wall 30 terminating in an enlarged open inner end 32 which has a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly projecting locking tabs 34 thereon with each of the tabs 34 having numerical indicia 36 on the surface thereof which faces away from the opening 32. The outer wall 28 of each player receptacle 26 is provided with indented sockets 29 defining finger grips or finger sockets. The tab 34 is also provided with a reinforcement build-up area 38 for rigidifying the tabs and preventing the same from becoming accidentally broken. The tabs 34 are disposed for insertion through the diametrically opposed notches 24 whereby the player receptacle 26 may be locked in the recess 14 by rotation thereof in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise manner for disposing the locking tabs 34 in the slot 22 in misalignment with the notch 24.

As shown in the drawings, the number of receptacles 26 is such that the outer spherical surfaces 28 coact and all are formed from a common center whereby the game device may be rolled along the outer surfaces of the player receptacle 26.

Mounted on the outer surface of the bottom wall 16 of each recess 14 is a pair of projecting lugs 40 interconnected by a transverse pin 42 which pivotally mounts a lock member or valve member 44 therein with the head 46 thereof being disposed in the aperture 20 for forming a closure thereof and preventing the passage of marbles therethrough. The pivotal connection formed by the pin 42 is such that when the recess 14 is at its lowermost point, the valve or lock lever 46 will drop to the position illustrated in FIGURE 9 whereby a marble or marbles may pass into the player receptacle 26 but when the game device is inverted and the free end of the lock lever 44 falls downwardly into overlying relation to the opening 20, the marbles cannot movefrom the player receptacle back into the marble depositing chamber.

In securing the player receptacles 26 in the recesses 14, the tabs 34 are inserted through the holes or notches 24 into registry with the slot 22 and then are turned clockwise or counterclockwise. When the player receptacle is turned counterclockwise or the left, no marbles will enter this receptacle thus this is done when there is no person playing the particular player receptacle. If the player receptacle is turned to the right, the player receptacle is in such a position that marbles may pass from the depositing chamber 12 into the individual player receptacle 26. When the player receptacle 26 is rotated to the left or to the counterclockwise position, the keeper or enlargement 38 will prevent movement of marbles into the particular player receptacle.

While each player receptacle is identical, the same are numbered by the numerical indicia 36 with it being pointed out that the number and shaded area is slightly countersunk and in color to prevent the wear of the color and'to prevent the wear of the numeral. This also prevents each player from seeing his chosen number receptable when the game is being played thereby preventing any of the players from gaining an unfair advantage by trying to control movement of the game device or toy inasmuch as the device may be constructed of a transparent high impact plastic.

Adjacent each of the slots 22 is a pair of spaced locking detents or lobes 5i? which frictionally engage the tabs 34 which keeps the receptacles from becoming loose while the game is being played.

When all of the player receptacles 26 are secured to the marble depositing chamber 12, the extreme outside surfaces of the receptacles coact to form a true radial surface of the toy with the space between the receptacles being void. There is also provided a movable closure plate or plug 52 disposed within the marble depositing chamber 12 which may be employed for closing the lowermost opening 20 when the uppermost receptacle 26 is removed for placing marbles 54 within the depositing chamber 12.

A marble (game may be played with the present device and all of the receptacles 26 are secured to the marble depositing chamber 12. If enough people are playing to choose all of the receptacles (1 through 6) with each receptacle being chosen by a single person, all of the receptacles 26 are turned to the right into locking position. One person holds the toy and removes the top receptacle 26 and juggles the plug 52 over the lower hole 2%) in the condition illustrated in FIGURE 9 and the persons then deposit an equal number of marbles into the depositing chamber 12. After the marbles have been deposited, the uppermost or top receptacle is also turned right and secured for playing. The persons playing form a circle and the toy is rolled from one person to another until all the marbles have entered the receptacles. Then the toy is picked up by one of the players and he releases the receptacles one at a time calling out the number shown on the tab on that receptacle and giving the holder of that number the marbles he has won. Each marble game is played in a similar manner except when two or three persons are playing, the amount of receptacles can be equally divided with chosen numbers, therefore, all receptacles will be turned to the right for playing. In the event a game is being played in which the receptacles cannot be equally divided, the non-playing receptacles will be turned to the left so that the keeper 38 will prevent marbles 54 from entering said receptacles. The thin rubber closure plate or plug 52 remains in the depositing chamber 12 at all times and is part of the toy and during each marble game, the plug 52 is used to cover the lower hole 20 while the depositing of marbles takes place. Thus, the device of the present invention may be used indoors or outdoors and the game can be played on dry or wet ground, on a concrete walk, driveways, porches, wooden floors, lawns, on the bed and generally in any area having a relatively flat surface. Thus, the toy needs no specific area in which a game may be played and various games of chance can be played with this toy inasmuch as the toy is symmetrical from all appearances. While marbles have been specifically illustrated as being used with the toy, it is pointed out that any kind of balls may be used to play various games and the balls may be marked with numerals for valuation so that two or more persons can play a point system game by adding each number of the balls that he has won in his chosen numbered receptacle after each game is over thereby providing an interesting indoor game. The toy may also be used in playing a pool type game by using 16 balls within the toy with the balls being numbered from 1 through 16. The device may be manufactured of a high impact transparent material which is safe for grownups and children and there may be provided a few colored marbles locked in each of the player receptacles in a non-playing position which would make an ideal toy for babies since the movement of the colored marbles as the device is rolled around would fascinate small children.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A game device comprising a marble depositing chamber of generally hollow sphenical shape, said chamber having a plurality of circumferential-1y spaced player receptacles detachably mounted on the outer periphery with the player receptacles communicating with the interior of the chamber for receiving marbles therefrom, and means mounted on the chamber and forming a check valve for each receptacle thereby permitting entry of marbles into the receptacles and preventing exit thereof, the outer surfaces of said receptacles forming portions of a sphere having a center at the center of the chamber whereby the device may be rolled over a supporting surface.

2. A game device comprising a depositing chamber of generally spherical hollow shape, said chamber having a plurality of recesses circumferentially spaced about the chamber, said recesses having a bottom wall terminating at an annular side wall, said side wall having a pair of annular arcuate slots diametrically opposing each other, the periphery of said chamber having a pair of entrance notches therein communicating with the arcuate slots, said notches communicating with the slot-s midway of the length of the annular arcuate slots, a plurality of player receptacles mounted on said chamber and including tabs received in the notches and slots whereby the receptacles may be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to secure the receptacle to said depositing chamber.

3. In combination, a game device comprising a depositing chamber of generally spherical hollow shape for receiving a series of identical objects, a plurality of receptacles releasably mounted on the depositing chamber and communicating with the interior of the depositing chamber for receiving objects therefrom, said chamber having a plurality of holes each communicating with a receptacle, and a pivotal member forming a check valve for each hole, means pivotally mounting said pivotal members on said chambers with free ends over the holes, the end edge of said pivotal members disposed over the holes being arcuate to conform with the periphery of the objects thereby keeping the opening between the pivotal members and the receptacle at a minimum when said pivotal members are closed, said pivotal members being longitudinally curved to conform with the outer periphery of the depositing chamber.

4. In a game device, a hollow chamber, a plurality of receptacles, means detachably interconnecting the receptacles and the hollow chamber, each receptacle having a partial spherical outer surface and an open area in the inner end, said chamber including a plurality of openings communicating the interior of the chamber with the interior of the receptacles, valve means mounted on said chamber adjacent each opening for forming a check valve for permitting gravity movement of articles from the chamber into the receptacles when the receptacles are disposed below the chamber as the assembled chamber and receptacles roll along a surface, said valve means being gravity closed when the receptacles are disposed above the chamber during rolling movement of the assembled chamber and receptacle thereby entrapping articles within the receptacles, wherein said receptacles being peripherally spaced from each other whereby each of the receptacles forms a hand grip for the device whereby it may be rolled over a sup-porting surface, said means detachably interconnecting the receptacles and the hollow chamber including diametrically opposed slots in the hollow chamber for receiving diametrically opposed ontwardly extending tabs on the receptacles, each of the slots in the chamber having an entrance notch whereby the tabs may be inserted through the entrance notch and then the receptacle twisted in either direction for misaligning the tabs in relation to the notches thereby interlocking the receptacles and the chamber, and friction means on said chamber for engagement with the tabs for retaining the tabs in misaligned relation to the notches for locking the receptacles to the chamber.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said means forming a check valve includes a plate-like member, lug means on the outer surface of the chamber pivotally supporting the plate-like member adjacent one end thereof with the other end disposed in overlying relation to one of the holes for permitting discharge of articles from the chamber into a receptacle when the receptacle is disposed below the chamber and preventing exit of an object from the receptacle when the receptacle is disposed above the chamber.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 together with a thin, flexible movable plug disposed in said depositing chamber to cover loosely a lower of said holes for pre venting marbles from entering the lower holes While depositing marbles into an upper hole in the chamber, said plug being larger than the holes and remaining in the chamber at all times for tumbling with the marbles as a game is played.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,325,122 Staufier Dec. 16, 1919 2,035,975 Meyer Mar. 31, 1936 2,233,589 Dean Mar. 4, 1941 2,315,323 Fostos Mar. 30, 1943 2,490,144 Masten Dec. 6, 1949 2,515,346 Jackson July 18, 1950 2,521,703 Emmitt Sept. 12, 1950 2,539,216 Weinschenk Jan. 23, 1951 2,546,896 Kassuba Mar. 27, 1951 2,555,132 Hickey May 29, 1951 

